THE LIFE PHILOSOPHY OF NIGAR AND ALİ TİRYAKİOĞLU

NATİV’s values-driven approach is rooted in Nigar and Ali Tiryakioğlu’s beliefs about life, education, and humanity. Their understanding of hard work, integrity, and the importance of “raising good people” continues to guide the Foundation’s social impact journey today.

Their deep belief in labor, education, and people forms the foundation of all the Foundation’s work. Their philosophy was built on the idea that creating value is not measured solely by economic success, but by raising individuals who contribute positively to society.

About Ali Tiryakioğlu

Ali Tiryakioğlu was born on November 10, 1938 — the day Mustafa Kemal Atatürk passed away — in Çiftlik Village of Nizip, Gaziantep. His decision to begin farming in Gaziantep in 1965 marked the starting point of the Tiryaki Agro story, which today extends from local roots to a global scale.

A pioneer in introducing mechanized agriculture to the region, Ali Tiryakioğlu took the first step toward industrialization in Tiryaki Agro’s history in 1982 by acquiring a lentil processing facility in Gaziantep. Beyond being an investment, this step represented a vision that transformed production for the children of Nigar and Ali Tiryakioğlu.

Ali Tiryakioğlu’s commitment to education was one of the strongest principles of his life. He believed that providing children and young people with access to quality education was a social responsibility. Reflecting this belief — which he often expressed through the words, “Raising good people is an act of devotion” — the Ali Tiryakioğlu Vocational and Anatolian High School was built in 2010 and gifted to the Ministry of National Education.

About Nigar Tiryakioğlu

Nigar Tiryakioğlu was born in 1948 in Tilsevet Village — today known as Ekinveren — in Nizip, Gaziantep. In 1966, she married Ali Tiryakioğlu and settled in Çiftlik Village. A mother of eight children and grandmother of eighteen grandchildren, Nigar Tiryakioğlu was known for the value and care she gave to people around her. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to her family and to supporting her children’s education.

She believed deeply in the importance of raising children and often expressed this belief with the words: “Raising a child requires great care — like weaving delicate lace.”

Learning to read and write after the age of 55 through schools established by AÇEV stands as one of the strongest reflections of her belief in lifelong learning and personal growth. Her dedication to ensuring that her children and the young people around her received a good education remains one of the greatest sources of inspiration behind NATİV’s values-based approach.

Described by her grandchildren as “the woman with smiling eyes,” Nigar Tiryakioğlu passed away on March 7, 2020. She lived a rich and meaningful life over 72 years — full of energy, able to connect with children wholeheartedly, resilient in the face of challenges, and deeply aware of the vital importance of justice and education. Following her passing, the Tiryakioğlu Family established the Nigar Tiryakioğlu Multi-Program Anatolian High School in Karkamış, Gaziantep. In doing so, Nigar Tiryakioğlu’s greatest wish — contributing to education — was transformed into a lasting legacy.

A Responsibility Rooted in Values

Today, NATİV stands as a social impact platform that carries the life philosophy of Nigar and Ali Tiryakioğlu into the future. The principles of hard work, integrity, dedication to education, and social responsibility continue to guide every project of the Foundation. Because true success gains meaning not only through production, but through raising people who create value for society.